PANJIM: The Congress on Wednesday claimed that the 2017 elections will witness a straight fight between them and the rebel RSS-MGP alliance; while the ruling BJP will be pushed to third position.
Addressing media persons, Congress media cell in-charge Ramakant Khalap said that based on the party’s internal assessment, the ruling saffron party will be relegated to third place as BJP with their U-turns, backstabbing and arrogant attitude has defeated itself even before the elections. “BJP has resorted to a condemnable act, the result of which will be seen during the coming elections,” he said.
“We accept that our main fight will be with the rebel RSS-MGP alliance, who would be ultimately have to satisfy itself with the second position,” Khalap claimed.
“As per the current political mood, Congress party is in very commendable position. Party is working in full strength in all 40 constituencies and is confident of a win in the 2017 polls. We are the only option people of Goa have today,” the former Union Minister said.
Taking a dig at the ongoing conflict between BJP and rebel RSS group led by Subhash Velingkar, Khalap said, “Their (BJP) own support base – RSS – is accusing them of betraying and backstabbing, this itself will take away their votes. BJP’s internal fight will play a greater role in defeating them.” Khalap, however, admitted that there are differences of opinion and rebellion in the Congress too.
Defending this, the senior Congress leader said the opposition has nothing to lose with rebellion but the ruling party will definitely face a major impact.
Playing down the grand alliance issue, Khalap said the party is currently in the process of putting different shades of opinion together. “The political situation changes every moment, there is still time to talk about alliance,” he stated.
The Former Law Commissioner accused BJP leaders Manohar Parrikar and Laxmikant Parsekar of shedding crocodile tears on the death of former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar. He also demanded that the government call for a one-day special Assembly session to enact a law to protect the sale of agricultural land.
